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Dr. Heward Wilkinson, D. Psych, UKCP Fellow, UKCP Registered Psychotherapist, is an Integrative Psychotherapist based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire. On this first page of the website I begin by describing the therapeutic services I offer. On the other pages you will find biographical information, papers and links to books which give an idea of my vision of life and psychotherapy, and there are other pages outlining other types of services I offer. Enjoy!

What Kind of Practitioner?

I am what is called an Integrative practitioner. This means that to the best of my ability, in dialogue with my client, I seek to develop a way of working which is most appropriate to your individual style and way of being. Approaches I draw from In developing a way of working with you I draw especially from Humanistic and Existential approaches, Psychoanalytic approaches, and also from more solution-oriented approaches such as Cognitive and Behavioural approaches and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). I also offer a form of Philosophical Practice, and a form of Poetry or Literary Therapy. Broadly, in Humanistic and Existential work the emphasis is on what is going on in the present, in the here and now, drawing from that creative renewal for living. In Psychoanalytic work the emphasis is upon how past patterns, sometimes from very early, repeat themselves, and also can transform themselves, in the present. More solution-oriented approaches offer specific methods to relieve the symptoms and manifestations of particular problems. Philosophical Practice draws from the philosophical traditions of West and East to address issues about ‘way of life’ in general – which can have a surprising impact on specific life difficulties also. Poetry and Literary Therapy draws from the wisdom of the world’s great literature and art to widen perspective, release feeling in a non-pathologising way, and open doors to new life possibilities. I have written articles, (see later pages), and a book, The Muse as Therapist, currently in press (Karnac Press), about philosophical and literary approaches to psychotherapy and counselling. http://www.karnacbooks.com/product/the-muse-as-therapist-a-new-poetic-pa...

In practice there are many overlaps between all these elements. Issues which might bring you into therapy Some people come into therapy simply to support themselves in their lives, and work, to have a place where they are free to unburden themselves and ‘feel and think out loud’, and to facilitate their personal and creative development. There does not have to be a remedial purpose for coming into therapy. None of us is entirely stress free or completely sorted, but at the same time being alive is not an illness! and therapy is not a substitute for life! It is and should be an individual decision whether to come into therapy and not something which is seen as a stigma or a sign of mental disorder. That said, life today is perhaps as challenging as it has ever been, and many people today have real emotional and psychological difficulties. People have difficulties with many emotional and sometimes behavioural areas, which may relate to, among others, Anger, Anxiety, Bereavement and loss, Depression, Domestic violence, Drug and alcohol problems, Lack of confidence, Low self esteem, Obsessional difficulties, Panic attacks, Personality adaptations, Phobias, Relationship difficulties, Sexual identity, Sexuality, Stress, Surviving childhood abuse, Isolation and Withdrawal, Troubles with our Inner World, and others not named here. I also work with Couples, and offer Supervision for Counsellors and Psychotherapists